Thiruvananthapuram, June 20, (BPNS)
The Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Thiruvananthapuram has been accused of medical negligence causing the death of a 54-year-old patient on Monday.
The deceased – Suresh, a resident of Karakonam – was expected to undergo kidney transplantation on Sunday. But it has been alleged that due to negligence of the concerned the transplant surgery was not performed on time and later the patient succumbed.
As the incident came to light, health minister Veena George ordered a high-level probe.
Acting upon complaints of health activists, the state human rights commission has also ordered a probe.
Meanwhile, the hospital authorities are yet to come out with an explanation for the mishap.
The hospital’s nephrology and urology departments were said to have made the dereliction in performing the surgery on time.
On Sunday, at 2.50 pm an ambulance carrying a kidney from Rajagiri Hospital, Ernakulam started to the MCH. With the help of a police escort, it reached the MCH at around 5.30 pm. But then, as per the allegation raised by ambulance drivers, none turned up to receive the organ and speed up the process of transplant.
“It is disheartening that despite taking all these risks the patient succumbed. I along with two doctors and staff from the MCH had gone to Ernakulam to collect the kidney from a 34-year-old brain-dead patient. MCH was alerted about the arrival of the organ transportation. But none turned up to assist us upon arrival,” said Anaz, the ambulance driver of organ transportation on Sunday.
He further added that with the harvested kidney they were made to wait including at a spot where waste was dumped.
“No arrangements were made beforehand it seems. When we arrived, the operation theater was closed. Then some staff took the harvested kidney from us. But now we are hearing that the operation was performed only at 9 pm,” said Anaz.
At the same time, Veena George directed additional chief secretary (health) to conduct a probe and submit a report immediately. The minister also added that if someone had made negligence strict action will also be initiated.
A high-level meeting has also been convened by the minister to discuss the incident.
Meanwhile, state human rights commission chairman Justice Antony Dominic directed the Director of Medical Education to conduct an inquiry and submit the report within four weeks.
However, the leader of the opposition VD Satheesan alleged that it was a grave lapse from the hospital authorities that they didn’t prepare for the transplant surgery. “Also going by the accounts of the ambulance staff, a precious 10 minutes were lost by waiting for the lift and in front of the operation theater. The government, as well as the state health minister, can’t wash their hands of this incident.”
